The blog of Richard Thompson, caricaturist, creator of "Cul de Sac," and winner of the 2011 Reuben Award for Outstanding Cartoonist of the Year.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Thanks

I told Mike Peterson that I feel like Tom Sawyer must have felt when he attended his own funeral. A large dose of compliments can turn your head and right now mine's spinning.. We're currently in Duck NC where it's raining. More news as it becomes available.

It's not like you didn't earn it. You've given us something we can keep readin again and again, and because of the quality, I just know our kids will read it too, and their kids... Had the world been fair, you could now retire filthy rich on the back of the quality of Alice, Petey and the rest.

I'll be here, waiting with money in my hand for whatever Cul De Sac related (proto-Cul De Sac collection, like the various glimpses of old, old Cul de Sac strips you've shared on your blog? Hint?) or a re-release of Richard's Poor Almanac or just doodles on paper plates.

In short - you still have a fan base, like Bill Watterson still has a fanbase. New fans will come everyday, I'm sure.

Yep. We're not just saying those things to be polite. Your fans really do care about you, and we're all grateful to you for permanently enriching our lives. Case in point: I'm pretty sure my husband and I aren't the only people who, upon hearing "Hurricane Ernesto" mentioned on the radio week before last, simultaneously said "But does it really exist?" Another example: thanks to you, each time we stop by the National Gallery, we grin like idiots while pausing to admire the air vent covers (so, ummm... if the NGA security guards ever haul us away for suspicious behavior, it's okay if we have them call you, right?)

Like Lorem Ipsum said, your fans care. Your work is so real and relatable, I feel like we're actually friends (the fact that I think you live just a couple of miles away near our favorite taco place adds to that fantasy; also, I lived across the street from Nick G. when we were little). So, you know, pick a weekend, and you and your wife can come over and play with our dogs (neither of which is Big Shirley sized), my husband will smoke some ribs, and we'll have a grand time.

Dearest Richard, Thank you so much for all the years of laughs, ewwws, and, interesting perspectives. The Blisshaven crew will be sorely missed and the comics page will not be the same. The shopper-eating bush, the uh-oh baby with it's terrifying prophesy of doom, and Alice... oh my gosh will I miss Alice! Sending lots of love, gratitude, and well-wishes. Ever your fan, Jack Thompson (no relation!)

Thank you so much, Richard, for drawing this amazing comic strip that has made me appreciate my own kids' quirks all the more. You've been my companion throughout this strange country of parenthood and I will always treasure Cul-de-sac. My kids have also grown to love it, and we all wish you the very best.